Popular musical talent hunt Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 might soon be pulled off-air. It is learnt that this year, Zee TV has not paid the fee to obtain the license for featuring published music.

Indian Performing Rights Society Ltd (IPRS) and Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) have taken an interim injunction against Zee TV from the Delhi High Court. The order restrains the channel from featuring published music (musical compositions, lyrics and songs) in its programmes, shows and serials without obtaining a prior license from IPRS and PPL, to the extent of the music owned by the members of IPRS and PPL.

The order highlights yet another instance of the court upholding the Copyright Act of 1957 and sends out a strong warning to violators of the law.

All users of music, including radio stations and television stations, need to obtain a license for public performance whenever they broadcast or perform/play literary and musical works and sound recordings. The license must be obtained prior to the event/broadcast, else it violates the Copyright Act, 1957.